Accountability
Forest Preserves
Public Safety
Cook County Budget
Forest Pres. Budget
Property Tax Appeal
Health & Hospitals
Policy Resolutions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact Kitty Loewy, 708-492-2015 Pager: 708-643-9432 www.cookcountypublichealth.org N E w S R E L E A S E F R O M C C D P H West Nile Virus Death in Suburban Cook County 61-year old woman from Countryside is first fatality in suburban Cook The Cook County Department of Public Health is confirming the death of a 61-year old Countryside woman from West Nile virus. The west suburban woman was admitted to the hospital suffering from encephalitis on September 12 and died September 23th. The death is the first one in suburban Cook County this year from West Nile related-disease. "Our thoughts are with the family," said Stephen A. Martin, Jr., Ph.D, CCDPH Chief Operating Officer. "Once again we need to remember how dangerous mosquito-borne illness can be.” CC DPH is encouraging residents to continue to be mindful of eliminating standing water around the outside of the home, limiting hours outdoors when mosquito activity is heaviest (dusk to dawn) and wearing a repellent product containing DEET. Although the weather is beginning to cool, mosquitoes may still be present. "We urge our residents to continue to take precautions until we have several consecutive days of freezing weather," Martin said. So far this year, eight cases of West Nile virus have been confirmed in suburban Cook County. Last year, one death was reported in suburban Cook along with 12 confirmed WNV cases. In 2002, suburban Cook confirmed over 300 cases of West Nile virus with 17 fatalities. Illinois led the nation in West Nile disease with 884 cases and 66 deaths.